The application of PET (positron emission tomography) for in vivo visualization of gene expression is one of the most interesting and emerging research field of nuclear medicine. When the gene is expressed the information, encoded in the gene, is translated into protein or RNA structures present and operating in the cell. The aim of the investigations is to produce radioisotope labeled structures (radiopharmaceuticals) that can attach to the proper mRNS or proteins and make this way possible to visualize (in-vivo) the genes via PET. The knowledge of this process is very important for developing new gene therapy methods for treatment of cancer. The results of the preliminary investigations have proved that the labeling of a proper structure (antisense oligonucleotides) with 68Ga, 76Br or 124I gives opportunity to investigate longer-lived processes in cells. Although several authors investigated the production possibility of these radionuclides with low and medium energy cyclotrons, the majority of the suggested nuclear reactions and separation methods did not proved useful for practical purposes. The new production methods suggested in this research project employ simpler (i.e. cheaper enriched or natural) target materials, therefore the application of simpler chemical separation methods for the produced PET radionuclides will be also possible. As a result of the project, the application of these radionuclides and the labeled compounds will be accelerated in PET centers.

Recently the application of PET (positron emission tomography) for in vivo visualization of gene expression is one of the emerging research fields of nuclear medicine. The aim of the investigations is to produce radioisotope labeled structures (radiopharmaceuticals) that can attach to the proper mRNS or proteins and make this way possible to visualize (in-vivo) the genes via PET. The knowledge of this process is very important for developing new gene therapy methods for treatment of cancer. The aim of the present OTKA investigation was to develop new optimal and cost effective production methods for the most promising radioisotopes (68-Ga, 76-Br and 124-I) that can be used for labeling the proper structures (antisense oligonucleotides). Based on our results on production related nuclear data measurements and the newly developed target preparation and separation methods, these radioisotopes can be used widely in PET centers.